Obama team asks BP to explain new sealing plan on oil spill

The White House has sent BP a letter asking if it can safely speed up new capping plans for the Gulf Coast oil spill because of the prospect of bad weather later this summer, and seeking specifics about the company's plans to seal the hole completely.

In the letter, Obama administration oil spill point person Thad Allen asks for details about BP's plan to remove a "top hat" that has slowed down the Gulf Coast oil spill, and replace it with a "sealing cap" that is designed to capture even more of the oil.

One problem: Between the removal of the top hat, and the replacement of the sealing cap, the oil flow will temporarily increase.

Allen's letter, addressed to BP Chief Managing Director Bob Dudley, also asks about plans to do the two operations simultaneously, as well as information on how BP plans to permanently cap the well full-time.

"I must have knowledge of the steps and decision points involved; mitigation efforts to be implemented; and contingency plans if these efforts are not successful," Allen wrote.

The leak isn't expected to be fully plugged until mid-August.

Allen asked BP to respond to his letter within 24 hours.

In the meantime, Obama administration lawyers are in a New Orleans appeals court today, asking it to re-instate a six-month moratorium on deep water oil drilling.

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About David Jackson

David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David